Olympia 2020: Barty, Djokovic, Rublev - a lot of star power in the mixed semi-finals
For the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, in addition to the two world number one in the singles - Ashleigh Barty and Novak Djokovic - other prominent names have qualified.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 29, 2021, 04:43 pm
The decision as to whether and who will compete in mixed at the Olympic Games was made very early in some cases (Garbine Muguruza and Belinda Bencic, for example, became partnerless due to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's cancellations). On the other hand, there were also a few late-career professionals: such as world number one Novak Djokovic, whose mentioning on the side of Nina Stojanovic only allows the conclusion that he feels inviolable in individual cases. The results of the last few days underline this.
Djokovic and Stojanovic seem to get along well, also and above all playfully. The Serbian representation was never in danger against the German pairing Kevin Krawietz and Laura Siegemund, winning 6-1 and 6-2. Djokovic was just as confident as in his individual a few hours before, when he left Kei Nishikori only two games.
Barty von Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova challenged
In the semifinals, Djokovic / Stojanovic will face one of two remaining Russian pairings who (have to) officially compete as ROC athletes. Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina will try their hand at the male industry leader and his partner. It remains to be seen whether Vesnina's proven double expertise, who only recently returned to the tour after a baby break, will be sufficient. In any case, Karatsev has not yet been noticed as a pair skating grandmaster.
In contrast to Ashleigh Barty. The Australian, who was unrewarded in singles and doubles in Tokyo, faces the two other ROC representatives Andrey Rublev and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova with her partner John Peers. Peers and Barty, this is certainly the more knowledgeable pairing when it comes to doubles. However, more power can be expected from the other side of the network - both from Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova.
Here is the mixed tableau